Indianapolis Bid Bud Shootout Preview

FORCE LEADS BIG BUD SHOOTOUT FIELD FROM THE NO. 1 QUALIFYING POSITION

CLERMONT, Ind. - For the eighth consecutive year, John Force enters the Big Bud Shootout at Indianapolis as the top seed. On Sept. 5, Force will try to win a record fifth title in the special event for Funny Cars held during the U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park. The winner of the 18th annual Big Bud Shootout at Indianapolis will earn $100,000. Any driver who can win the Shootout and the U.S. Nationals will earn a $50,000 bonus from the NHRA. A purse of $147,000 is available for the eight drivers competing in the Shootout. The Shootout runner-up will earn $15,000, while the two semi-finalsts will earn $6,000 each. The four first round finishers will earn $5,000 apiece. Force, from Yorba Linda, Calif., qualified No. 1 at nine of 21 NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series events since mid-September 1998 in his Castrol GTX Ford Mustang. The Big Bud Shootout at Indianapolis showcases the eight best Funny Car qualifiers since last year's Shootout. Drivers accumulated points at the 21 NHRA national events between last year's U.S. Nationals and this year's event, and a $4,000 bonus was awarded to the No. 1 qualifier at each race. Several interesting matchups highlight the first round pairings for the Shootout. Force will face young Del Worsham, while rivals Whit Bazemore and Cruz Pedregon will also battle. Ron Capps became $100,000 richer last year by earning his first victory in the Big Bud Shootout at Indianapolis, defeating Cruz Pedregon in the final round. Big Bud Shootout rounds are scheduled for noon, 2:15 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. Sept. 5.

1999 BIG BUD SHOOTOUT AT INDIANAPOLIS FINAL STANDINGS 1. John Force, Yorba Linda, Calif., Castrol GTX Ford Mustang 3,450 2. Whit Bazemore, Indianapolis, Kendall Chevrolet Camaro 3,110 3. Tony Pedregon, Gardena, Calif., Castrol Syntec Ford Mustang 2,920 4. Ron Capps, San Diego, Copenhagen Chevrolet Camaro 2,505 5. Dean Skuza, Brecksville, Ohio, Matco Tools Dodge Avenger 2,475 6. Tim Wilkerson, Springfield, Ill., Pro Motorsports Dodge Avenger 2,310 7. Cruz Pedregon, Camarillo, Calif., GoRacing.Com Pontiac Firebird 2,290 8. Del Worsham, Costa Mesa, Calif., Checker Schuck's Kragen Pontiac Firebird 2,265

1999 BIG BUD SHOOTOUT ROUND PAIRINGS FIRST ROUND Force vs. Worsham Bazemore vs. C. Pedregon T. Pedregon vs. Wilkerson Skuza vs. Capps SEMI-FINALS Force-Worsham winner vs. Skuza-Capps winner Bazemore-C. Pedregon winner vs. T. Pedregon-Wilkerson winner FINAL (4:45 p.m., Sept. 5)